EOI: Consultancy for Baseline Survey for the European Union Support for Strengthening Social Protection in Nigeria (ESSPIN) Project

Introduction: ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) is an affiliate of ActionAid International, a global alliance of organizations working towards achieving a world without poverty and injustice in which every person enjoys the right to a life with dignity. As a large and visible development organization, we work in 45 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Our expertise lies in community-led approaches to development and working through partnerships with the poor and other grassroots organizations.

Background: The ESSPIN project is a 36-month EU-funded action under the EU Support for Sustainable and Innovative Social Protection Programmes (SUSI) in Nigeria. Implemented by ActionAid Nigeria in consortium with the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and Okaha Women and Children Development Organisation (OWACDO), the project aims to strengthen collaborative actions and partnerships for the expansion and effective use of the National Social Register (NSR) for inclusive social protection and poverty reduction in Abia, Benue, Oyo, and Sokoto states, and at the national level.

The project addresses critical challenges facing the NSR, including outdated data, limited inclusivity, weak coordination, politicisation, low public trust, and insufficient integration of gender, youth, and disability perspectives. 

A comprehensive baseline survey is required at the inception phase to generate high-quality quantitative and qualitative data, establish benchmarks for the project’s MEAL framework, and provide strategic insights to guide implementation, advocacy, and campaign strategies.

The purpose of this assignment is to conduct a comprehensive baseline survey that generates reliable quantitative and qualitative data for the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework. The survey guided by the OECD Criteria will establish benchmarks, document the current status of the NSR, capture stakeholder feedback, analyse barriers and opportunities, and provide evidence-based strategies for effective engagement, citizen mobilisation, advocacy, and campaign approaches.

Objectives of the Baseline Assessment: The specific objectives are to:

• Establish baseline values for all key project outcomes and output indicators.
• Assess the current status, coverage, accuracy, and inclusivity of the National Social Register (NSR) across focal states and nationally.
• Understand knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of target groups regarding NSR, NIN registration, and social protection programmes.
• Identify barriers and opportunities for NSR registration and access to services, with special focus on women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
• Analyse the functionality of existing coordination platforms, accountability mechanisms, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and political economy analysis of social protection and NSR governance.
• Provide actionable recommendations and strategies for effective engagement with policy influencers, community structures, and other stakeholders.

Scope of Work: The consultant/firm will undertake the following tasks:

• Participate in an inception meeting with the ESSPIN project team and MEAL focal point.
• Conduct a desk review of relevant policies, documents, and existing studies on the NSR and social protection in Nigeria.
• Design a robust baseline methodology, including sampling framework and data collection tools.
• Collect both quantitative and qualitative data across Abia, Benue, Oyo, Sokoto states and the FCT.
• Engage diverse stakeholders through household surveys, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).
• Analyse the political economy of NSR and social protection programming.
• Ensure GEDSI-responsive and Human Rights-Based approaches throughout the assignment.
• Produce a comprehensive baseline report with clear, actionable recommendations.

Methodology: The assessment guided by the OECD Criteria will adopt a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques, including but not limited to:

• Desk review of secondary data and literature.
• Structured household surveys.
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with government MDAs, community leaders, and policy influencers.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with citizens, SoRATs, women, youth, and PWDs.
• Field observations and stakeholder mapping. Sampling should ensure representation across gender, age, disability, and geographic locations.

Key Deliverables: The consultant/firm is expected to deliver:

1. Inception Report: detailing methodology, sampling strategy, work plan, and data collection tools.
2. Pre-tested data collection tools.
3. Raw and Cleaned quantitative dataset and qualitative transcripts with codebook.
4. Draft Baseline Report (with state-specific chapters and consolidated national report).
5. Final Baseline Report incorporating all feedback.
6. PowerPoint presentation and policy brief summarizing key findings and recommendations.

Duration of the Assignment: The baseline survey will be delivered by a team of individual consultants/firm comprising one Lead National Consultant engaged for 10 working days and four State Consultants (one each for Abia, Benue, Oyo, and Sokoto) engaged for 5 working days each.

Required Qualifications and Experience: The consultant/firm should have the following:

• Advanced degree (master’s or PhD) in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, Public Policy, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in conducting large-scale baseline surveys or evaluations in social protection, governance, or poverty reduction.
• Proven expertise in mixed-methods research and GEDSI-responsive approaches.
• Strong experience working in the focal states (Abia, Benue, Oyo, Sokoto).
• Demonstrated understanding of social accountability, HRBA, and political economy analysis.
• Excellent analytical, report writing, and presentation skills.
• Experience working with EU-funded projects is an added advantage.
• Fluency in English and at least one relevant local language (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, or Tiv).

The following compliance documents submitted with the applications:

• · Company profile
• · CAC registration (CAC 7)
• · Tax clearance certificate
• · Evidence of previous jobs, especially with INGOs
• · Audited accounts (at least 2023)

Submission of Expression of Interest: Please send your expression of interest (detailing how you intend to accomplish this assignment, with samples of similar jobs done within the past 3 years), financial budget and CV to procurement.nigeria@actionaid.org on or before 15th July 2026. Applications should be sent in one Microsoft Word or PDF document titled: Name “EOI – Baseline Survey for ESSPIN Project”.

Women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage.